08.08.08

Of Brett Favre’s introduction to the tri-state area’s assembled media corps last night, the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman sneers, “only the Jets would stage a press conference worthy of Radio City Music Hall in the bowels of a stadium in Ohio.” There was, of course, the small matter of last night’s exhibition with the Browns being played in a stadium in Ohio, but if Raissman doesn’t think Jets management or ownership had to attend such an affair, who am I to argue?

Upon Favre’s recent departure from Green Bay, members of the Wisconsin sports media, who worked under his limited access plan, were not seen shedding any tears. Many of them may even be thrilled Packers management stuck to its guns and jettisoned Favre.

Favre’s fresh-squeezed juice will be reserved for national TV types. And for those local sports radio outlets desperately seeking a Jets quarterback for a weekly paid interview, here’s our advice: Sign Kellen Clemens.

Favre may be able to control access, but he can’t muzzle some local mouths already lying in the weeds with big sticks.

“The national media has kissed his butt forever,” WFAN’s Joe Benigno said on the air Thursday. “The first time Favre forces one of those dumb passes, and it gets picked off, he’s going to be hearing about it.”

And with that, the region’s professional sports franchises had best beware. All future attempts to bring in high profile talent will take place against the backdrop of Joe Benigno-Gazingo promising to make a superstar’s life miserable. If only Joe had been doing daytime radio in 1992, Bobby Bonilla might’ve signed with Kansas City instead.